The CAO Flathead

A Marriage Made in Heaven

By Stephen Goss

Perhaps you’re into the whole “pairing” scenario like I am?  You know, finding the perfect wine to complement that gourmet meal you’re planning to cook for your old university friends you get together with every couple of years, or maybe searching for just the right single malt to pair with the Dunhill 965 you plan to pack in your new Lorenzetti later in the evening.  Even if you’re not really into the pairing mode, it would be hard to deny that with the release of the CAO Flathead line of cigars there is a natural confluence of three ‘concepts’ many men are drawn toward – muscle cars, girls, and robust cigars!

As I wrote this review I had a Flathead 554 (Camshaft) in hand, which, when first lit, released a wonderfully thick midnight-gray smoke.  A generous ash (dense and even) slowly accumulated on the lit end and the flavor was supremely full and satisfying, redolent of black pepper and cocoa. I spent some time holding the cigar away from my mouth just to admire its unique shape (box-pressed, with a flat head) and the dark, oily texture of the Connecticut Broadleaf.  The band too is well designed making it quite collectible, if you’re into that sort of thing.

The CAO marketing and design team have outdone themselves with this latest offering.  The box comes with a lid that can be mounted as wall art in your rec room; and if that weren’t enough, a vintage pin-up poster is included in each box, reminiscent of your favorite auto garage of years gone by.

So gentlemen – lovers of muscle cars, girls, and robust cigars – rev your engines, light up a Flathead and enjoy!

Current CAO Flathead offerings available at Burlington’s:

 Flathead 554 – Camshaft

Flathead 660 – Carb

(*42,54,60 – denotes the ring gauge)

 

As the name suggests this cigar is poised to take over the World, but not just with brute force. The Centurion strategically deploys flavour to dominate your taste buds with refined, well balanced Nicaraguan authority. Get them before their limited numbers are depleted!

 

This legendary tobacco is no longer shrouded in the mists of the past.  Now is your chance to set history ablaze, one bowl at a time.

 

The CAO Flathead 660 and 550 are coming soon to Burlington on Whyte Tobacconist.  Stay tuned!

 

The Cigar Diaries – My Unforgettable Adventure in Mexico – by Chris Hansen

 

Last September I was invited to attend the 1^st Festival del Puro Mexicano, the inaugural premium Mexican Cigar Festival.

A lot of people are surprised to hear that Mexico makes cigars, and even more surprised to hear that some of them are great!

Five store owners from Canada were invited. We arrived in Veracruz in the morning of a beautiful day.  The afternoon we spent walking around the area close to our hotel and had a great lunch at an open air restaurant.

The unofficial start of the festival was that night with a cocktail reception. Unlimited cigars and drinks. We were all very happy that the next morning we only had a bus ride to deal with. And what a bus ride. From Veracruz we travelled for a few hours to the San Andres valley, home to much of Mexico’s tobacco industry.

We spent the next two days in this beautiful area (think tropical forest complete with monkeys) visiting factories and the most extensive plantation tour I’ve ever been on. It was highly memorable.

Throughout our stay everyone we dealt with was extremely friendly and hospitable. The cigars were unending and the beverages ready at hand. One cigar – the Casa Turrent Maduro really stood out. It was a great trip!

So great in fact that Burlington has decided, with Brigham, the Canadian distributor of Casa Turrent cigars, to send two lucky people to the 2^nd festival, October 21 – 26, 2014. Actually three people. One of our assistant managers – Cody Porter will be going along with the winners of our in store contest, draw for which will be on August 31. Virtually all expenses will be covered.

Try the cigar – The Casa Turrent, now available at Burlington on Whyte. I can also recommend a great sipping Tequila to go with it – the Don Julio Reposada. Best of luck to all for the draw.

Smoke and Enjoy!